"Yes, Lady Selmira?"
I smile at her politely.
Selmira crossed her arms, pondering.
A thought crossed her mind.
"Did you invite me because you wanted to get closer to my brother?"
My eye twitches.
My entire face nearly cracks from shock.
I let out a long sigh.
"I invited you because I genuinely wished for your presence alone, Lady Selmira."
"You do not have to hide it, Lady Velora."
Selmira suddenly steps closer before whispering near my ear.
"I know you've liked my brother ever since you were little."
She immediately pulls away afterward, placing both hands proudly against her waist while lifting her chin high.
"I may have been young back then, but I am very smart!"
'WELL I'M NOT HER!!'
"Do not worry."
Selmira nods confidently.
"I fully support you as my future sister-in-law."
'You mean brother-in-law!?'
I continue forcing a smile so hard my cheeks begin stiffening.
Meanwhile, Selmira continues talking nonstop beside me.
At some point, I completely stop processing her words altogether.
'She's just a child.'
'She's just a child.'
'She's just a child.'
—Few minutes later—
"So, Lady Velora."
I finally snap back to reality.
"Yes?"
Selmira suddenly steps closer before patting my shoulder.
'Oh you can actually reach my shoulder.'
I look down below, she is literally standing on her tiptoes.
"Do not worry! I shall tell my brother how kind you were to me."
Selmira beams brightly.
"And from now on, you may call me Mira!"
"Of course, Lady Mira."
Mira immediately pouts in dissatisfaction.
"Just Mira."
Her voice softens slightly afterward.
"I always wanted a sister."
'Well, wait another three years for one.'
Naturally, I was referring to the future Female Lead.
"Okay, Mira."
I smile at her gently.
Mira's eyes widen as though she had just witnessed a rose blooming beneath sunlight.
The afternoon sun softly reflects against Velora's ruby-colored eyes, making her gentle smile appear even warmer.
Mira immediately turns flustered before smiling brightly herself.
"A-Also… here!"
She hurriedly reaches into her pocket before pulling out a small pouch and handing it to me.
"What's this?"
"I heard your birthday already passed…"
Mira averts her gaze awkwardly.
"So… happy belated birthday."
"Oh!"
"That's all!"
The moment she finishes shouting, Mira immediately turns around and runs away at full speed.
"…Ah."
'Like a storm that suddenly passed by.'
I turn around, only to find Marigold still patiently waiting nearby.
'Huh? She's still here?'
"Oh, Lady Marigold? Why are you still here?"
Marigold visibly flusters, lightly clasping her hands together.
"Ah… I was waiting since our conversation was interrupted earlier."
Inside my mind, I dramatically clutch my chest as though my heart had just been pierced.
'Marigold is so kind…'
'No wonder she became the Female Lead's closest friend.'
My entire mood suddenly turns fluffy.
Marigold lowers her gaze shyly, her lips trembling slightly from nervousness.
"Mari…"
"Pardon?"
"You may also call me Mari, Lady Velora."
Mari looks at me with pure determination
"Thank you, Lady Mari."
I gently smile at her and Mari follows.
'She's way too cute.'
"I congratulate you on your engagement with the future Grand Duke, Lord Caelrion."
Mari bows politely.
"Ha!?"
Mari immediately startles.
"Ah!! Was I mistaken?"
"Are you already married?"
My mouth falls open so wide it feels as though blood might spill out next.
'That Mira…'
'I need to find that child immediately before the entire noble society starts believing I'm engaged to him!'
"There appears to be some misunderstanding."
I force out a strained smile.
"I have no intentions of marrying anytime soon."
'I'm 15! Why is this world so obsessed with marriage!?'
"Ah... I see."
Mari lowers her gaze slightly, looking somewhat reluctant.
"So it is one-sided…"
She softly covers her mouth with both hands.
"Poor Lord Caelrion…"
'WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HAPPENING!? AAAAAA!'
"No, please do not misunderstand! It's simply—"
Before I can even finish explaining, Mira's voice suddenly echoes from across the garden.
"…Lady Velora…!"
My attention immediately snaps toward the sound.
I listen more carefully—
"…marriage with my brother—!"
The moment those words register in my mind, I immediately bow toward Mari before sharply turning around.
There stands Mira, happily chatting among the noble ladies while loudly speaking about engagements without the slightest restraint.
'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.'
Without a second thought, I sprint across the garden at full speed, heels and dignity be damned.
Several nobles gasp in shock as I charge toward them like a madwoman possessed.
"Lady Velora!?"
Before Mira can even react, I swiftly grab her around the waist and immediately flee in the opposite direction, carrying the startled child away from the crowd.
"EH!?"
Mira lets out a shrill cry while bouncing slightly in my grasp.
'She's light, nice.'
I continue running with forced composure despite internally panicking to death.
"EEHHHHHH!?"
'You're one sentence away from sending me straight to my death.'
—Few minutes later—
The moment I finally place Mira back onto the ground, she immediately starts complaining.
"Lady Velora! That was so inapp—"
I suddenly grab both of her shoulders, cutting her off mid-sentence.
I lower my head slightly, staring directly into her eyes with the most terrifying expression I can possibly manage.
I whisper in her ear.
'Since I have no other choice, I have to be the villainess this time.'
"Have you perhaps heard the rumors regarding me, Lady Selmira Viremont?"
Mira instantly freezes.
A tiny hiccup escapes her.
"I-I… hic… s-sorry…"
She visibly trembles in fear.
I internally panic not showing anything but—
'AAAAAAA I scared a kid what do I do!?'
'I was just trying to spook her.'
I look around thinking of what to do, I notice a small patch of sunflowers nearby, brightly blooming beneath the sunlight.
Flowers symbolizing happiness and encouragement.
'I can't touch the flowers directly to hand them to her… or else…'
Without wasting another second, I immediately crouch beside the flower bed and begin hurriedly digging through the soil with my bare hands, carefully avoiding direct contact with the flowers themselves.
'This should be fine, right?'
'It's not like I'm actually touching the flower directly.'
Mira stares at me in complete shock as dirt scatters everywhere.
"E-Ehhh!? Lady Velora!"
The moment I finally pull one free from the soil, I immediately hold it out toward her and bow down.
"Here! For you Lady Mira, I'm sorry!"
'...'
Awkward silence lasted for a minute.
"Lady Velora, do you know the saying—"
"Love admired only from afar eventually fades, but love that is cherished and cared for continues to grow."
"Huh?"
Mira slowly picks up the flower in my hand.
"Unlike cut flowers destined to wither, the roots remained buried in soil—alive, is capable of growing if cared for properly."
"You're so sweet Lady Velora!"
Mira smiles at me happily.
"But do not worry, Lady Velora!"
Mira suddenly clasps my dirt-covered hands while still holding the sunflower tightly in her other hand.
Her eyes shine brightly as she looks straight at me.
"I think Lady Velora is kind!"
"Even with all the rumors, I can tell with my own eyes that you're a good person!"
'Hearing it phrased like that really makes it sound as though I committed some terrible crime.'
I let out a scoff.
'Well… whatever.'
'I'm too exhausted to react anymore.'
I force out a dry, cracked laugh.
"Ahahaha…"
—Few hours later, living room—
'Everyone finally left but…'
'Why is she still here?'
"Lady Mira."
Mira sits comfortably on the sofa opposite me, legs crossed while wearing an extremely smug expression for someone her age.
Then she proudly lifts her chin.
"I called my brother to come pick me up."
My head immediately begins throbbing as though flames are about to burst from it.
"…What?"
"Do not worry!"
Mira waves her hand confidently.
"I be sure to give you two the time to be together!"
"…"
I remain completely silent.
I slowly stand up. Walk out of the room. And return alongside Reynard.
The moment Mira sees him, smiling with confidence.
"Ah! you must be Lady Velora's brother."
I calmly point toward Mira while smiling pleasantly.
"Children have limits to their energy, Lady Mira."
"So I believe it is time for you to return home."
"W-Wait—!"
Before she can escape, Rey effortlessly lifts her onto his shoulder.
—An hour later, Entrance—
'…So he actually came.'
The moment the Viremont carriage stops before the entrance, Lord Caelrion steps down elegantly before bowing politely toward us.
"I sincerely apologize on behalf of my sister."
"You better."
Rey immediately crosses his arms with a sharp glare.
Lord Caelrion simply smiles as though completely unaffected.
"It appears my sister has grown quite fond of you, Lady Velora."
Lord Caelrion slowly reaches his hand toward mine.
'As if I would give you my hand.'
—plop—
My hand immediately betrays me and lands perfectly on top of his.
'AAAAAA.'
Before I can even pull away, Lord Caelrion gently lifts my hand and places a soft kiss against the back of it.
Rey instantly yanks my hand back toward himself afterward, glaring daggers at Lord Caelrion.
"I hope we meet again just the two of us, my lady."
Lord Caelrion's eyes soften slightly.
I stare at him with visible disgust.
'Im not gay.'
'He did say he'll control his little sister.'
—Next day, living room—
Mira sits comfortably once again, on the sofa opposite me, legs crossed while wearing an unbelievably smug expression for someone her age.
"…"
'Deja vu?'